Mike Davis

Throughout their history, automakers have tried to fill holes in their lineups or expand into new territory.

Some models they designed and built themselves. Some, from other manufacturers, were imported and sold by established U.S. automakers.

In the decades following World War II, the domestics — including Ford, General Motors and Chrysler — brought in small, foreign cars in an effort to extend their inventories, said Detroit-area auto historian Mike Davis.

"Many flopped," Davis said, recalling names like Simca (Ford-Peugeot cars sold by Chrysler dealers) and the British Ford Anglia.

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Throughout their history, automakers have tried to fill holes in their lineups or expand into new territory.
Some models they designed and built themselves. Some, from other manufacturers, were imported and sold by established U.S. automakers.
In the...